In 2020, people rediscovered and redefined spending time at home. Remodeling projects boomed nationwide as homeowners aspired to incorporate amenities that would make staying home convenient and more enjoyable. Two years later with the pandemic largely behind us, the ways in which we cook, entertain,work and relax in our homes has remained significantly different. In the kitchen, hygiene takes top priority along with streamlined designs and flexibility for multi-tasking. Here are some top design trends that continue to shape the way we spend time in the kitchen.
TOP Statement backsplashes and range hoods in natural finishes and un-lacquered metals are a top pick for 2023.
ABOVE While shaker cabinets remain popular for their flexibility, homeowners are opting for cabinets with unique profiles that are more dimensional.
LEFT Expect to see bold pops of color in traditional white kitchens.
ORGANIC STYLE
This style of kitchen builds on the popular clean lines of contemporary and transitional kitchens while adding a bit of warmth and texture using natural materials. It starts with a soft, neutral palette kept open and bright with minimal paint color contrast. Add in organic materials such as wood, greenery, slate, marble, unfinished metals and fibers. The focus is on energy-efficiency and environmentally consciousness, but can still offer a
sleek, modern design.
WARMER & MORE PLAYFUL COLORS
White will always remain a favorite kitchen color scheme, but warmer shades and playful spots of color will soon supersede the cool tones, like blue-grays, of recent years. Expect to see colors like warm beige accented with shades of orange and aqua or adventurous greens. These soothing, earthy colors provide a sense of peace and calm, which homeowners gravitate towards for familiarity and normalcy. Warm colors can also be represented by wood tones, so expect to see strong accents of wood in cabinets, feature walls and even countertops. The warmer, optimistic colors can be paired with greenery, gold accents and woven textures for a natural look.
DECORATIVE RANGE HOODS
Hidden ventilation is becoming a thing of the past as decorative range hoods become a popular focal point in the kitchen. Range hoods offer a huge design impact–think art for your kitchen–that sets the tone for the whole space. There will be less about ornate details and more about materials. Slab materials like marble, metal, veneer porcelain or plaster are easy to clean and minimalistic but make a huge impact.
STATEMENT SLABS
Homeowners are ditching standard finishes for those that better express their personality. This is reflected in cabinet colors, hardware, and countertops that “Wow.” In a recent Houzz study, over a third of homeowners chose to splurge on countertops, with quartz and granite at the top of the list.
CUSTOM ORGANIZATION
Gone are the days of choosing between impractical open shelving and a kitchen designed for storage but no style. The pandemic taught us to be organized, so designers are focusing on crafting spaces that are both creative and utilitarian. Specialty built-in storage solutions are on the rise because they keep the kitchen functioning properly and still look good. The result brings a sense of calm and order to a home.
CONNECTION TO OUTDOORS
The pandemic reminded us how important the outdoors are to mental health and well-being. Many homeowners now crave that connection to the outdoors in their homes. Expect to see more bi-fold doors and larger than normal windows. Windows that are floor to ceiling in kitchen eating areas or that rest
almost on top of countertops promote a less obtrusive view of the outdoors. They also allow in sunlight and can be used for ventilation and fresh air.
TOUCHLESS FAUCETS
Installing a new faucet can be a quick and simple DIY project that freshens the look of your kitchen and provides a greater level of cleanliness. Motion-control and hands-free faucets, as well as touchtap faucets are becoming first choices for homeowners. Also making it’s debut is the voice-activated faucet, which not only allows you to turn on water to wash your hands, but can also be commanded to dispense the exact amount you need to fill your soup pot.
IMPERFECT FINISHES
High-gloss, perfect finishes are being traded in for a look that is more live-in and weathered. This style echoes the character of centuries old European kitchens but with a modern twist. Look for muddy paint hues, matte brass and bronze, unpolished stone, and natural, handmade tiles with uneven edges.
CABINETS WITH UNIQUE PROFILES
Like white color palettes, shaker cabinet profiles aren’t going anywhere. They’re timeless and can accommodate a variety of design tastes. But more homeowners are taking risks and with that, we can expect to see cabinet profiles that make a statement. Beaded, fluted, arched, inset–there are many ways to achieve a unique look with cabinet profiles that add character and life to a kitchen. Also look for more counter to ceiling cabinets made possible by an increase in standard kitchen ceiling height. This adds more storage space and makes the kitchen feel larger.
SPECIAL APPLIANCES
Health was a top priority throughout 2020 and many homeowners turned to better ways of cooking to promote it. Being home more also gave people the opportunity to experiment with new flavors and dishes. With a renewed interest in cooking comes a spike in appliances like air fryers, grain mills, and specialty ovens. While people are cooking more, they don’t necessarily want to cook longer, so many time-saving appliances are being introduced to the modern kitchen. For example, a convection speed oven combines the qualities of a traditional oven with the speed of a microwave. As these new appliances gain traction, expect some traditional appliances to be replaced.
Warm, natural colors, unpolished metals and stone, wood and other organic materials are expected to be the top picks for kitchen finishes.
THE UNEXPECTED
The last few years we saw more homeowners experimenting with out of- the ordinary kitchen materials—and we can expect to see a lot more this decade. Think brass sheets applied to countertops and backsplashes, beaded cabinet fronts or upholstered leather furnishings. Additionally, look for unusual design elements that make a big impact like curved cabinets, spots of bright color, cylinder hoods and striking light fixtures.
